Preventing Infections –
Hand Washing
Introduction
Germs are all around us. You can’t see them, but there are millions of them on our
skin. They can only be seen through a
microscope.
Germs live on our bodies. But they
can also live on surfaces around us.
Anything we touch could have germs on
it. Doorknobs, computer keyboards,
telephones, pens and pencils are all
common places where germs can
spread.
Germs
The human body usually fights germs. But sometimes germs can cause infections.
Most infections are spread by hand. Keeping your hands clean is important to avoid
getting infected or spreading infections to people around us. Washing your hands often
is the best way to keep your hands clean.
This reference summary shows you how to wash your hands correctly. It also explains
how to use hand gels and foams.
Effective Hand Washing
There are two ways to clean your hands. One
way is to wash them with soap and warm water
while rubbing your hands together. When you
can see or feel that your hands are dirty,
washing them is the only way to kill the germs.
The second way is to use a hand gel or foam
product to clean them. This helps to kill the
germs or sanitize your hands when they do not feel or look dirty. It is an easy way to
clean your hands when soap and water are not available.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2016, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 07/18/2016
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Soap
If not done correctly, germs can stay on your hands after washing. The following
instructions can help you wash your hands properly:
1. Wet hands and wrists under warm running water.
2. Apply soap. Liquid soap is better than soap bars.
3. Scrub your hands and wrists for at least 15 seconds. Make sure to wash your
fingernails, between your fingers and the back of your hands.
4. Rinse your hands well.
5. Dry your hands using a clean paper towel, starting with the hands and working
down toward the elbows.
6. Use the paper towel to turn off the faucet.
Hand Gel
To use hand gel, put on enough gel or foam to get your hands
wet. Rub until your hands are dry. Hand sanitizers and foam
products come in small pocket or purse size bottles. They are
easy to carry and can help you keep your hands clean and free
of germs.
When to Wash Hands
You should wash your hands before
you eat, after you go to the bathroom
and any other time you have touched
something that is not clean.
Wash your hands with soap and warm
water when they look or feel dirty.
Wash your hands when you come in
contact with someone who has a cold,
flu or another contagious disease.
Wash your hands after sneezing or
coughing.
At the Hospital
A hospital or medical clinic may have more germs than other places because many
people who go there are sick. It is important to clean your hands when you go to a
hospital or clinic as a visitor or patient.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2016, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 07/18/2016
hs070103
2
Infections can be dangerous when you are sick or at the hospital. Our bodies are busy
fighting other diseases or healing surgery wounds, which makes it easier for germs to
get into the body.
Alcohol hand gel or foam kills germs. It can
be found in most clinics and hospitals. If you
don’t see any, ask for some. Clean your
hands when you go into the building and
before you leave the building. You can stay
healthy by asking your health care providers
to wash their hands before they touch you or
your family. It is a good thing to do to avoid
spreading germs.
If you are a patient in the hospital and
cannot walk to the sink to wash your hands, ask for a warm soapy washcloth or hand
cleaner. Your health care provider will help you keep your hands clean. Ask your
visitors to wash their hands with the alcohol gel or foam that is in your room. They
should clean their hands again as they leave the room or the hospital so they do not
take germs home with them.
Summary
Most infections are spread by hand. Keeping
your hands clean is important to avoid getting
infected or spreading infections to people
around us. Washing your hands often is the
best way to keep your hands clean.
There are two ways to clean your hands. One
way is to wash them with soap and warm water while rubbing your hands together.
When you can see or feel that your hands are dirty, washing them is the only way to kill
the germs. The second way is to use a hand gel or foam product to clean them. This
helps to kill the germs or sanitize your hands when they do not feel or look dirty. It is an
easy way to clean your hands when soap and water are not available.
You should wash your hands before you eat, after you go to the bathroom and any
other time you have touched something that is not clean. Wash your hands with soap
and warm water when they look or feel dirty.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2016, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 07/18/2016
hs070103
3
Wash your hands when you come in contact with someone who has a cold, flu or
another contagious disease. Wash your
hands after sneezing or coughing.
For hand washing to work well at killing
and removing germs and dirt, remember
to scrub your hands and wrists for 15
seconds and to rinse well.
A hospital or medical clinic may have
more germs than other places because
many people who go there are sick. It is
important to clean your hands when you
go to a hospital or clinic as a visitor or
patient.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2016, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 07/18/2016
hs070103
4